First fish ideas

[Marinus]

Hello,

I'm working on setting up my first serious reef aquarium. It's a 100 gallon Innovative Marine EXT 100. From what I have researched the majority of people start out with clownfish but are there any other options? I have heard that clownfish can be a little territorial and aggressive as they get older.

Here are some other fish I would like to have in this aquarium in the future:
Royal Gramma
Pair of Mandarin Dragonettes
Yellow or Green Clown Goby
Tomini Tang
Coral beauty angelfish
Midas Blenny
Lawnmower Blenny

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[littlefoxx]

Hello,

I'm working on setting up my first serious reef aquarium. It's a 100 gallon Innovative Marine EXT 100. From what I have researched the majority of people start out with clownfish but are there any other options? I have heard that clownfish can be a little territorial and aggressive as they get older.

Here are some other fish I would like to have in this aquarium in the future:
Royal Gramma
Pair of Mandarin Dragonettes
Yellow or Green Clown Goby
Tomini Tang
Coral beauty angelfish
Midas Blenny
Lawnmower Blenny

Thanks for any suggestions

Looks like a great list. To me it isnt a fish tank without clowns! My only experience with them is me getting bitten lol but as far as them going after fish I never had any of mine do that. But to go off your list royal gramma first :) also might want to take the lawnmower off the list. Mean little fish to other blennies, but great on their own. I say remove the lawnmower cause the midas is wayyy prettier! Add dragonettes last and around the 9 month mark so you have lots of pods. You can also dose pods too, which I do when I have dragonettes

 

[Marinus]

Looks like a great list. To me it isnt a fish tank without clowns! My only experience with them is me getting bitten lol but as far as them going after fish I never had any of mine do that. But to go off your list royal gramma first :) also might want to take the lawnmower off the list. Mean little fish to other blennies, but great on their own. I say remove the lawnmower cause the midas is wayyy prettier! Add dragonettes last and around the 9 month mark so you have lots of pods. You can also dose pods too, which I do when I have dragonettes

Thanks for your great suggestions! Maybe I'll just go with the clownfish after all lol. What would you say is the most peaceful species? I honestly didn't know that lawnmower blennies were aggressive so thanks for that warning. I'm excited to have the Dragonette's those are actually my favorite fish, I'll be patient in getting them until the tank has matured :)

 

[Knucker]

I would get the dragonets from BIOTA. Their Dragonets are captive breed and will accept most fish food. Now that being said. I would still make sure they have a lot of pods in the tank anyway.

 

[littlefoxx]

Thanks for your great suggestions! Maybe I'll just go with the clownfish after all lol. What would you say is the most peaceful species? I honestly didn't know that lawnmower blennies were aggressive so thanks for that warning. I'm excited to have the Dragonette's those are actually my favorite fish, I'll be patient in getting them until the tank has matured :)

Um honestly all clowns are nuts. Ive kept the normal ones and maroons which everyone says are evil. But the regular I had jumped out of the tank and bit me on the forehead! Left teeth marks. Here is a picture of the demon. Right after she bit me looking all smug… lol

 

[Marinus]

I would get the dragonets from BIOTA. Their Dragonets are captive breed and will accept most fish food. Now that being said. I would still make sure they have a lot of pods in the tank anyway.

That's great advice, I'll check on that.

 

[Marinus]

Um honestly all clowns are nuts. Ive kept the normal ones and maroons which everyone says are evil. But the regular I had jumped out of the tank and bit me on the forehead! Left teeth marks. Here is a picture of the demon. Right after she bit me looking all smug… lol

Wow they really are nuts lol, I hope your forehead is alright! I'll remember to wear safety glasses when working over the aquarium lol. Your fish's picture! :grinning-face-with-sweat:

 

[littlefoxx]

Wow they really are nuts lol, I hope your forehead is alright! I'll remember to wear safety glasses when working over the aquarium lol. Your fish's picture! :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Oh yeah she was super proud of herself. She also launched herself across a six foot tank and went flying out of the tank trying to bite me! She was psycho! But I love clowns so its worth it

 

[Uncle99]

Simple Occs are a great start and quite chill.
They go great with BTA. Percula as well, chill.

Tomato, skunk, Lighting are examples of more aggressive ones.

 

[Tamberav]

Hello,

I'm working on setting up my first serious reef aquarium. It's a 100 gallon Innovative Marine EXT 100. From what I have researched the majority of people start out with clownfish but are there any other options? I have heard that clownfish can be a little territorial and aggressive as they get older.

Here are some other fish I would like to have in this aquarium in the future:
Royal Gramma
Pair of Mandarin Dragonettes
Yellow or Green Clown Goby
Tomini Tang
Coral beauty angelfish
Midas Blenny
Lawnmower Blenny

Thanks for any suggestions

Most of the fish on this list can be jerks...

Royal gramma or clown gobies seem the safest first add if not doing clowns first.

Mandarins are obviously easy going but best add when tank is mature.

 

[exnisstech]

No need for clowns if you really don't want them. I like keeping them with nems but only have a blue haddoni with a single clarkii now. I stopped keeping bubble tips when I started adding more coral.
Mandarin pair will need a mature tank to survive, even if they eat frozen.
I've kept lawnmower blenny, midas blenny and coral beauty with no problems.
I've heard too many stories of tomini tangs getting aggressive so I've never tried one. I have 8 tangs in one tank and two in another and everything is peaceful.
I like my flame angel. They really add a nice splash of color. I've heard of them picking at coral but mine has been fine. I keep it together with a coral beauty but I'm sure being in a 7ft tanks helps make that possible.
Copper bands are great also. My pair keep the tank aiptasia free and are beautiful fish that just seem to really look great in a reef tank. It takes quite a bit of extra effort and a seperate tank to get them ready to be placed in a display and survive tho.

 

[ajremington68]

With a 100g you are starting off well and arent too limited, BUT add a lid a lot of the starters are jumpers. I have not had success with dragonets or mandrians till my tank was about a year or so but that's me. I had a royal gramma as my first fish and everyone loved it for the colors and personality. would swim sideways in the top of the tank all the time looking down on everything.
The blennys are always a joy due to there behaviors of always sizing you up. could be a great add just remember the lid!
Coral beauty is my father's favorite and are super easy fish with nice colors. but once established they can be punks. BUT any fish after established is a punk because you wouldn't want a new sibling sleeping in your room after being a only child all your life... So just have to add correctly in the future.
Tomini tang is a great worker but I want to plant a different bristle tooth in your tank image "white tail bristle tooth tang" Hard to find? Yes. worth the hunt? YES! So pretty still hunting for one.

 

[Marinus]

Simple Occs are a great start and quite chill.
They go great with BTA. Percula as well, chill.

Tomato, skunk, Lighting are examples of more aggressive ones.

Thanks, I'll probably go with the Ocellaris ones

 

[Marinus]

Most of the fish on this list can be jerks...

Royal gramma or clown gobies seem the safest first add if not doing clowns first.

Mandarins are obviously easy going but best add when tank is mature.

Thanks for letting me know, I'm hoping to go for a peaceful aquarium. I'll do my best to take care of the future Mandarin's and wait until the aquarium is mature and stable.

 

[littlefoxx]

No need for clowns if you really don't want them. I like keeping them with nems but only have a blue haddoni with a single clarkii now. I stopped keeping bubble tips when I started adding more coral.
Mandarin pair will need a mature tank to survive, even if they eat frozen.
I've kept lawnmower blenny, midas blenny and coral beauty with no problems.
I've heard too many stories of tomini tangs getting aggressive so I've never tried one. I have 8 tangs in one tank and two in another and everything is peaceful.
I like my flame angel. They really add a nice splash of color. I've heard of them picking at coral but mine has been fine. I keep it together with a coral beauty but I'm sure being in a 7ft tanks helps make that possible.
Copper bands are great also. My pair keep the tank aiptasia free and are beautiful fish that just seem to really look great in a reef tank. It takes quite a bit of extra effort and a seperate tank to get them ready to be placed in a display and survive tho.

How did you pair the copperbands???

 

[littlefoxx]

Thanks for letting me know, I'm hoping to go for a peaceful aquarium. I'll do my best to take care of the future Mandarin's and wait until the aquarium is mature and stable.

Honestly 98% of saltwater fish are jerks lol. Thats what I learned. Its about finding fish with similar temperaments that keep each other in check and that creates a “peaceful” tank, as much as you can for saltwater! My tank currently has 4 moray eels. Everyone thinks they are aggressive and they are listed as aggressive, but its because of their eating habits. My eels are very peaceful with each other and often are found snuggling together! As seen below

 

[Marinus]

No need for clowns if you really don't want them. I like keeping them with nems but only have a blue haddoni with a single clarkii now. I stopped keeping bubble tips when I started adding more coral.
Mandarin pair will need a mature tank to survive, even if they eat frozen.
I've kept lawnmower blenny, midas blenny and coral beauty with no problems.
I've heard too many stories of tomini tangs getting aggressive so I've never tried one. I have 8 tangs in one tank and two in another and everything is peaceful.
I like my flame angel. They really add a nice splash of color. I've heard of them picking at coral but mine has been fine. I keep it together with a coral beauty but I'm sure being in a 7ft tanks helps make that possible.
Copper bands are great also. My pair keep the tank aiptasia free and are beautiful fish that just seem to really look great in a reef tank. It takes quite a bit of extra effort and a seperate tank to get them ready to be placed in a display and survive tho.

I don't think I'll get any anemone's at least for awhile, the thought of one walking across the rockwork stinging everything is kinda scary lol. Thanks for sharing your experience about the blennies and coral beauty fish. I'm still thinking about the Tomini though, I'd like to have some type of pet fish that can help me out with the algae. My aquarium is only going to be 100 gallons which is sort of borderline for tangs so I believe a Tomini is the only option if I want a tang. You have 10 tangs! That's amazing :) Would love to see pictures. I would really like to have a copperband, but I feel that I'll need a lot more reefing experience and a little larger aquarium. (at least like a 5ft)

 

[Marinus]

Honestly 98% of saltwater fish are jerks lol. Thats what I learned. Its about finding fish with similar temperaments that keep each other in check and that creates a “peaceful” tank, as much as you can for saltwater! My tank currently has 4 moray eels. Everyone thinks they are aggressive and they are listed as aggressive, but its because of their eating habits. My eels are very peaceful with each other and often are found snuggling together! As seen below

Wow beautiful pets, I never knew that eels could get along like that! Great pictures!

 

[Marinus]

With a 100g you are starting off well and arent too limited, BUT add a lid a lot of the starters are jumpers. I have not had success with dragonets or mandrians till my tank was about a year or so but that's me. I had a royal gramma as my first fish and everyone loved it for the colors and personality. would swim sideways in the top of the tank all the time looking down on everything.
The blennys are always a joy due to there behaviors of always sizing you up. could be a great add just remember the lid!
Coral beauty is my father's favorite and are super easy fish with nice colors. but once established they can be punks. BUT any fish after established is a punk because you wouldn't want a new sibling sleeping in your room after being a only child all your life... So just have to add correctly in the future.
Tomini tang is a great worker but I want to plant a different bristle tooth in your tank image "white tail bristle tooth tang" Hard to find? Yes. worth the hunt? YES! So pretty still hunting for one.

I appreciate all the great advice! I think once I'm 100% sure my lights and autofeeder are in their forever place I'll order a lid from Kraken Reef, those look really nice. I don't think I have ever heard of the White Tail Bristle Tooth Tang (long name lol) I have a great LFS so I'll see if they get one in or maybe they can order one.

 

[exnisstech]

How did you pair the copperbands???

I used @OrionN method described below to determine I had a female then I started shopping around for one that looked like a male. Found one that looked healthy brought him home and fattened him up in observation QT for a couple of months then dropped him in the tank. The female immediately pinned him in a corner and I had to rescue him and back to QT to heal up. I was still confident I had a male / female so I brought him back up in an make shift acclimation box with some rock from QT and kept him in there for nine days. I took the lid off and the female went in and introduced herself and they swam out together and have been great since.

Sexual dimorphism identification of Chelmon rostratus, the Copperband Butterfly,

From the horse mouth, people who successfully pair, breed and raised Copperband Butterflies Jirayuth Ruensirikul, Mavit Assava-aree, Atra Chaimongkol, Sirawan Bunchai, and Khwantana Ongart of Coastal Aquaculture Research Institute and Nakhonsithammarat Coastal Fisheries Research and Development...

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